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If you've been charmed by one of the popular so-called lucky bamboo (Draceana sanderana) houseplants that are often sold in decorative vases filled with water and pebbles, you might be wondering how to make sure that it lives a long and healthy life. The first thing to know is that your plant isn't a bamboo at all. Lucky bamboo is the common nickname for a member of the lily family that some say symbolizes prosperity. It's a bright green plant that resembles bamboo, with thick, cylindrical stems that terminate in teardrop-shaped leaves. Learn to care for your indoor lucky bamboo plant to reap its benefits. While increased prosperity isn't guaranteed, your specimen can help clean the air and brighten your mood.

Water and Fertilizer

Lucky bamboo grows hydroponically, meaning it lives in water, not soil. Place the plant in a container with about 1 inch of water, refreshing it as it is absorbed by the plant or evaporates. Add a diluted solution of liquid houseplant fertilizer every few months to provide additional nutrients. Bottled, filtered and tap water all cause minerals and salt to accumulate over long periods of time, harming the plant; choose distilled water or rainwater to help mitigate this problem. In good conditions, lucky bamboo leaves can grow up to 1 inch per month.

Care

Indoor settings with low light make an ideal environment for lucky bamboo. A dimly lit office or corner is a perfect spot. Wash the plant's leaves occasionally to avoid an infestation of spider mites. If webs do appear, gently wipe them from leaves with a damp paper towel or cotton swab.

Pruning

Lucky bamboo specimens can grow as tall as 3 feet, but they could begin to look ragged. Prune them by cutting stems with disinfected pruning shears to just above one of the rings. This will refresh the plant's appearance by encouraging new growth. You can train your lucky bamboo to grow into a specific shape by using small pieces of string or twist-ties to attach it to a curved wire frame. Propagate by clipping a new stalk that has formed from a leaf at its base and placing it in a container of distilled water.

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Contributor. "How Do I Care for My Indoor Bamboo Plant That Grows in Pebbles?" Home Guides | SF Gate, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/care-indoor-bamboo-plant-grows-pebbles-92709.html. 15 March 2018.

Contributor. (2018, March 15). How Do I Care for My Indoor Bamboo Plant That Grows in Pebbles? Home Guides | SF Gate. Retrieved from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/care-indoor-bamboo-plant-grows-pebbles-92709.html

Contributor. "How Do I Care for My Indoor Bamboo Plant That Grows in Pebbles?" last modified March 15, 2018. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/care-indoor-bamboo-plant-grows-pebbles-92709.html

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